Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron at a bilateral press conference in Paris, France on June 12, 2026. [livestream]
Saturday June 13, 2026 | PARIS, FRANCE [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a successful bilateral visit in Paris, France on Friday where he met with President Emmanuel Macron and announced a series of new partnerships.
The June 12 meeting came ahead of the G7 Leaders’ Summit next week which will focus on Canada’s role and expertise as a reliable partner on economic security, clean energy, online safety, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum. These are all objectives Canada and France share – grounded in values and ambitions.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at a bilateral press conference in Paris, France on June 12, 2026. [livestream]
In the bilateral meeting, Carney and Macron announced the new General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) between Canada and France, which will strengthen defence and industrial cooperation, create new procurement opportunities for Canadian workers and companies, and deliver benefits to Canada’s economy. Once in force, it will:
Make it easier to exchange classified information between Canada and France across defence, space, aerospace, cybersecurity, AI, and maritime systems.
Expand access to French defence and security public procurement markets while enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian industry in pursuing French contract opportunities.
Provide Canadian firms with greater opportunities to compete for contracts, participate in advanced research and development opportunities, and integrate into major international supply chains.
Grow the Canadian economy with new procurement opportunities in the French defence market and high-paying careers for Canadian workers – from engineering to the skilled trades.
The leaders discussed progress on aerospace cooperation and noted France’s recent purchase of two additional DHC 515 water bomber aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada in Calgary, Alberta. The purchase, which builds on France’s existing fleet of two DHC 515 aircraft, will:
Strengthen France’s capacity to respond to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and reinforce Europe’s emergency response fleet.
Expand Canadian aerospace exports in Europe and position Canada as a trusted supplier of critical emergency-response capabilities, while supporting Canadian aerospace jobs and expertise.
Bolster climate adaptation and resilience.
The leaders underlined the recent signing of a joint statement on quantum science and technology cooperation to deepen collaboration in research and development. Building on the strong Canada-France partnership in quantum technologies, the two countries will:
Expand opportunities to grow global quantum markets, accelerate commercialisation, and bring together industry, researchers, policymakers, and security stakeholders to harness transformative quantum technologies.
Create new opportunities for Canadian researchers and firms to collaborate and help position Canada as a leader in the global quantum economy.
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The Prime Minister underscored Canada’s role as a reliable partner in the responsible development of emerging technologies, as reflected in Canada’s new AI for All strategy unveiled earlier this month. He joined President Macron in virtually greeting participants at the “AI with Us” Summit in Lille, France, where he emphasised the opportunities which the AI strategy will catalyse, and the opportunities to work with partners to help ensure AI is used to improve lives and create jobs.
Canada’s new government is building a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient economy. By strengthening partnerships with trusted allies, attracting investment, and expanding access to global markets, Canada is creating new opportunities for workers and businesses while building a stronger economy at home.
Weekend off:
Prime Minister Carney will be making a visit to western Ireland from where his grandparents emigrated to Canada, before heading to the French Alps for the G7 Summit next week.
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